Explanatory note

These Regulations amend the definition of “domestic violence” in paragraph (10) of regulation 14A of the Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996, (“the Jobseeker’s Allowance Regulations”), which makes provision for a jobseeker’s allowance claimant to be treated as meeting the requirement to be available for work for a period of 4 weeks on notifying the Department for Social Development that they have had domestic violence inflicted on or threatened against them at any time in the 26 weeks before that notification, by their partner, a former partner or a family member.

The definition of domestic violence previously referred to abuse of a kind specified as psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional. The amendment made by these Regulations now includes incidents of controlling or coercive behaviour, violence or abuse including, but not limited to psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional abuse, regardless of the sexuality or gender of the claimant.

These Regulations make in relation to Northern Ireland only provision corresponding to provision contained in Regulations made by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in relation to Great Britain and accordingly, by virtue of section 149(3) of, and paragraph 10 of Schedule 5 to, the Social Security Administration (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 (c. 8), are not subject to the requirement of section 149(2) of that Act for prior reference to the Social Security Advisory Committee.